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In this image from amateur video made available by the Shaam News Network and shot on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, protesters gather in Homs, Syria. The writing on the ground, in Arabic, reads : "we are those who seek freedom and peace. We are not thieves or outlaws." The banner reads, "after Baba Noel came to Syria, he changed his name to Baba Amr." Hundreds of thousands of Syrians poured into the streets across the nation Friday in the largest protests in months, shouting for the downfall of the regime in a defiant display invigorated by the presence of Arab observers, activists said. Despite the presence of the monitors, activists said Syrian forces killed dozens, most of them shot during anti-government protests.(AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this image from amateur video made available by the Shaam News Network and shot on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, protesters gather in Homs, Syria. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians poured into the streets across the nation Friday in the largest protests in months, shouting for the downfall of the regime in a defiant display invigorated by the presence of Arab observers, activists said. Despite the presence of the monitors, activists said Syrian forces killed dozens, most of them shot during anti-government protests.(AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this image from amateur video made available by the Shaam News Network and shot on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, protesters gather in Homs, Syria. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians poured into the streets across the nation Friday in the largest protests in months, shouting for the downfall of the regime in a defiant display invigorated by the presence of Arab observers, activists said. Despite the presence of the monitors, activists said Syrian forces killed dozens, most of them shot during anti-government protests.(AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

A supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad holds a picture of the leader at a counter demonstration as anti-regime protesters rally in front of the Syrian embassy in Amman, Jordan, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Syrian soldiers and others chant slogans and hold a scarf in the colors of the Syrian national flag and the word, "Syria," in Arabic, during a pro-regime rally in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. The rebel Free Syrian Army said Friday it has stopped its offensive against government targets during a month-long mission by Arab Legue monitors, saying it wants to expose how the regime is killing peaceful protesters.(AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Syrian soldiers chant slogans during a pro-regime rally in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011.The rebel Free Syrian Army said Friday it has stopped its offensive against government targets during a month-long mission by Arab Legue monitors, saying it wants to expose how the regime is killing peaceful protesters.(AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad, pictured, carry national flags during a rally in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. The rebel Free Syrian Army said Friday it has stopped its offensive against government targets during a month-long mission by Arab Legue monitors, saying it wants to expose how the regime is killing peaceful protesters.(AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

BEIRUT

In the largest protests Syria has seen in months, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets Friday in a display of defiance to show an Arab League observer mission the strength of the opposition movement.

Despite the monitors’ presence in the country, activists said Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar Assad killed at least 22 people, most of them shot during the anti-government demonstrations.

In a further attempt to appeal to the monitors, dissident troops who have broken away from the Syrian army said they have halted attacks on regime forces to reinforce the activists’ contention the uprising against Assad is a peaceful movement.

BAGHDAD

Hundreds of Sunni Muslims gathered in Baghdad on Friday to celebrate the withdrawal of American forces, but in a sign of the sectarian divisions that re-emerged immediately after their departure, Shiite Muslims did not join the event.

The celebration took place near the Abu Hanifa mosque, the main house of worship in the primarily Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah in northern Baghdad. To secure the event, Iraqi troops blocked traffic on roads leading to the mosque and searched people approaching the area.

During the rally, men and children waved Iraqi flags and raised banners praising those who resisted the U.S. presence in Iraq.

BRIEFLY ...

● KABUL, Afghanistan — Two NATO service members died Friday in roadside bombings in southern Afghanistan, while allied and Afghan forces killed three senior Taliban figures and captured 11 fighters and sympathizers, the alliance said.

● PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea announced today that Kim Jong Un has been officially named supreme commander of the military, further strengthening his authority after the death of his father, longtime North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

● NAIROBI, Kenya — A second foreigner working with Doctors Without Borders died of his wounds in an attack in Somalia that also killed the group’s country director, though the aid organization declared Friday that despite the risks it would still provide medical care in one of the world’s most dangerous countries.

Compiled from wire reports

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SEOUL, South Korea — Chinese President Xi Jinping made a plea for cool-headedness over escalating tensions between the U.S. and North Korea in a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, urging both sides to avoid words or actions that could worsen the situation.